Manchester United could sign three top attackers in the summer transfer windowManchester United could sign three top attackers in the summer transfer window
Manchester United could sign three top attackers in the summer transfer window | Wolves via Getty Images
Man Utd have made progress over their summer rebuild and could add some star quality to their squad.
It was easy to fear the worst when Manchester United lost the Europa League final to make their shoddiest season in half a century even worse. They recorded their lowest finish of the Premier League era, missed out on European football and ended it trophyless as they completed an unwanted treble.
Ruben Amorim stood on the Old Trafford pitch after the final match of the regular season to promise the good days would soon return. They could come around even sooner than expected if the summer window goes on to fulfil the unbelievable potential it has.
United should be a more coherent side next season after a full summer schedule under Amorim, while they should also benefit from the kinder schedule that could see them play as few as 40 competitive matches across all competitions. It means they can focus solely on the Premier League and the fewer fixtures means they can accelerate plans to cut their playing squad this summer.
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The key focus for Ruben Amorim this summer is to add more goals to his Manchester United attack after only Everton and the three relegated sides scored fewer goals than them in the Premier League last season. They want to add a proven goal scorer to the forward line, while they are also on course to add two attacking midfielders to the first-team squad.
Matheus Cunha scored 15 goals on his own in the league last season, over a third of the 44 United managed as a team. A deal has been agreed for him to join the club later this month, with the Wolves star the perfect example of a player who is already proven in the Premier League and who is ready for the next step in his professional career.
Then there is Bryan Mbeumo. He scored 20 goals in the Premier League over the past campaign and will add further firepower to an attack that has already been bolstered by the addition of Cunha. Like him, the Brentford ace is another player who is hungry to make the next step and who would relish the chance to bring glory back to Old Trafford.
There is an expectation the duo will play as the two attacking midfielders behind a striker, and while that might be the ideal system, it rarely works out that way. Amorim is understood to be impressed by the duo's versatility and believes Cunha could operate as a striker or even a deeper playmaker if required, while Mbeumo can also provide cover at wing-back or lead the attack.
United should be a transformed attacking threat even just with those two players signed, but they could take the rebuild to another level entirely if they managed to add a striker to the mix as well. Liam Delap was the preferred target before he moved to Chelsea, but it could be a blessing in disguise if it forces the club to sign an established star like Viktor Gyokeres instead. The Sporting star is understood to be open to an Old Trafford move this summer, though the finances involved in a deal could be problematic.
A few forwards will need to be moved on before a move for Gyokeres could be sanctioned, though United could have a relatively free run at the striker given Chelsea have already signed a number nine and Arsenal are in pursuit of Benjamin Sesko instead. It is certainly not out of the question that they could line up with Cunha, Mbeumo and Gyokeres next season.
Against all the odds, the worst season in modern history could be followed by the best summer transfer window in recent times.
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